Bouncing back from job loss

Whether you were laid off or fired, losing your job can be a taxing hardship both emotionally and financially. While you may not be able to control the loss of your job, you can certainly take the steps needed to lessen the blow and ease the pain.

It's important to understand that there are several ways to bounce back, look at your job loss from a positive angle and start the job search anew.

Redundancy, or fired?

Being fired and being made redundant are two very different sets of circumstances, advises Susy Roberts from people development consultancy Hunter Roberts.

“If someone is fired, it’s highly unlikely there will be any severance pay or support in finding new work. The person will need to be very proactive about examining the causes that led to them losing their job so they can take steps to find new work and meet their financial obligations.”

It could be that the job just wasn’t suitable for your skills, so you should think about their strengths and what you could be more suited to, or what your personal circumstances allow them to commit to. It’s important to be realistic.

For example, if you were fired for timekeeping issues because circumstances meant you couldn’t commit to a set number of hours, you shouldn’t go looking for work with the same hours. You should use it as an opportunity for self-reflection, for discussion with significant others, for identifying any gaps in skills and for self-development.

 “In the case of redundancy, there should be a clear procedure that’s been followed, and it’s very rarely personal,” says Susy. “They should take advantage of all the support the organisation is offering, financial and practical, and if they’re in a position to, take some time to think about new opportunities. Perhaps a career change, or a return to education. 

“In either case, they should try and use the opportunity to reflect. Obviously it’s not always that simple, but if they want to be able to move on with their career, they should use the time for some honest reflection and see where they can make positive changes.”

Surround yourself with the right group of people

After losing your job, it's important to surround yourself with positive people to help lift you up during your time of need. Though you might want to spend time alone, consider surrounding yourself with a good group of people such as your family and close friends.

Be intentional about who you are spending time with and choose to hang out with those who inspire and support you.

If you were laid off with a group of people, consider meeting with your former co-workers. You can all provide motivation and support to one other as you face the same emotions, unknowns and concerns.

Consider your next career move

When you lose a job, it's a great time to reevaluate your next career move. Think of your past positions and which ones gave you the most joy. If you enjoyed your most recent position, consider applying for a related opening. If you didn't, look for opportunities outside of your industry. This is a great time to gain experience in another field. You can do this by furthering your education, getting certified and more.

Consider how to advance in your career

If you're planning on staying in the same industry for your next position, think of ways to give your CV an added boost. You can volunteer, get training, enrol in a course and more. If you're hoping to land a more managerial or advanced role, consider how you can potentially upskill with different online training and learning opportunities.

Any experience you gain during this time can be added to your CV and portfolio and will increase your chances of landing a job in your chosen profession.

Don't let your job loss define you

Though losing your job can be hard, it's important to understand that you are not a failure.

Build resilience and remind yourself that you are not defined by your job nor your company's decision to let you go.

Consider how far you've come in your career or how much you've done to achieve your professional goals thus far. Though this may feel like a setback, it doesn't define your overall professional career or self.